Yesterday, hundreds of New Mexicans gathered in Albuquerque to protest against war, and they had specific criticisms for America’s newest war, the awkwardly named Operation Odyssey Dawn.
The decision by President Barack Obama to bring the United States into the civil war in Libya was made with just 24 hours of warning to the American people, on a Friday, with no time for citizens to express their opinions. The entry of the United States into war also took place without any congressional authorization. That makes the war plainly unconstitutional, as Congress, not the President, has the power to declare war.
In Albuquerque, protester Gary Lowe spoke out against the war, saying, “I think we should keep out of it and mind our own business. We can’t take care of the world’s problems. We can’t even take care of our own problems.”
Anti-war protester George Everett commented, “It’s too dangerous. A no-fly zone would lead to more violence.”
On Facebook, a new group is organizing opposition to American involvement to the war in Libya, while opposing the violence by Moammar Qaddafi as well. The group states, “Limited U.S. military engagement can lead to long, costly entanglements. Consider what the no fly zone over Iraq led to one of the most disastrous wars in American history. With record breaking budget deficits in the United States, Americans cannot financially afford to support another war. Uncertainties abound, yet President Barack Obama has rushed America into war in Libya without the constitutionally required congressional approval.”
